The Globalization of the NWA

It wasn't long ago, when the influence of the National Wrestling Alliance only went as far as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With all the talk of how the NWA has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years, very little is spoken about the International Expansion of the NWA. Here's a break down of the growth of the NWA in the past 5 Years.

2003
NWA Mid-Atlantic used a mix of the their current roster and an expanded roster that included Dr. Death Steve Williams and Terry Taylor to promote a series of events in the People's Republic of China.

2005
NWA Mid-Atlantic made another expedition to Asia, this time to Korea. This show was packed with Superstars; Sting, Billy Gunn, Dusty Rhodes, Buff Bagwell, Terry Taylor, Raven, DDP, AJ Styles and then Worlds Champion Jeff Jarret.

2006
NWA Championship Wrestling From Florida begin to sanction Korea's World Wrestling Alliance, creating NWA South Korea.

NWA Pro Wrestling enter a partnership with Explosive Pro Wrestling in Perth and Adelaide. The partnership includes NWA Sanctioning of NWA Australia and a talent exchange.

2007
NWA Pro tours Australia with NWA Australia. Claudio Castagnoli, and Rocky Romero join the Australian roster to determine an Australian National Champion. Plus a World Tag Team defense of then champions, The Real American Heroes. And a main event that saw Sean Waltman wrestle Bryan Danielson.

2008
David Marquez, with Blue Demon Jr. announces the creation of a new NWA member in Mexico.
New Japan Pro Wrestling rejoins the National Wrestling Alliance.
NWA Pro announced its sanctioning of International Catch Wrestling Association as NWA France.
And just announced NWA Pro/Pro Wrestling Revolution will be touring Portugal, with El Hijo De Rey Misterio, Balls Mahoney, and Big Vito.

Independent Wrestling Zone canceled its plans to run in Lima Peru, however have announced that it has plans to run Internationally in the Dominican Republic. The dates announced are Sept. 26 in La Romana, Sept. 27 in Santiago, and Sept. 28 - Santo Domingo.

Undisputed IWGP Heavyweight Champion!

According Strong Style Spirit, Kurt Angle was forced to tap out to Shinsuke Nakamura's cross arm-breaker. By defeating Angle, Nakamura was able to put an end to the dispute of who was the true IWGP title. New Japan Pro Wrestling stripped the International Wrestling Grand Prix Championship from Brock Lesnar over a contract dispute. NJPW held a tournament and crowned Hiroshi Tanahashi after he defeated Bernard. Lesnar traveled to Inoki's Genome Federation and was recognized as that promotions IWGP Champion. Lesnar had never officially been defeated for the title in New Japan so it made some sense. Kurt Angle defeated Lesnar in Japan and Nakamura regained the title from Tanahashi. So when the two met, one man was to walk out as the Unified Champion. Kurt is still the reigning Heavyweight Champion in Total Non-stop Action and the the craziest athlete to ever perform on Pros versus Joes.

Main Event announced for "Inoki Memorial 65"

Inoki's Genome Federation has released the main event for it's 3rd show, which is being title "Inoki Memorial 65." Former NWA World Champion Naoya Ogawa takes on Josh Barnett. Ogawa regularly competes for HUSTLE. Prior to that, Ogawa competed for Zero One and before that New Japan. Barnett too battled in New Japan and also competed in MMA fighting in Pride and UFC. It was announced on Puroresupower.com that either Stan Hansen or Antonio Inoki could be the special referee for this match.

The show will also feature Booker T., Yoshiki Takahashi, Michiyoshi Ohara, Taka Kunou, Eric Paulson, Montanha Silva, Danny Iguazu, and Atsushi Sawada.

NWA Japan now has 2 promotions?

It gives me great pleasure to announce the return of New Japan Pro Wrestling as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance. New Japan has long been the standard-bearer for excellence in professional wrestling in the Far East. With New Japan's "Return Home," the NWA continues its mission to provide wrestling fan with its finest in professional wrestling from every part of the globe. Along with our recent expansions into Australia, Mexico,and Puerto Rico, and our long members in Canada, United Kingdom, the addition of New Japan to the NWA assures fans that they will see the finest wrestlers in the world competing for the most prestigious championship in the world-the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. I want to thank New Japan's International Coordinator, Tiger Hattori, Chief Financial Officer M. Nishizawa, and President, Naoki Sugabayishi for all their efforts in making this pairing a reality. The NWA-for 60 Years the home of professional wrestling.

--Robert K. Trobich, Executive Director (credit NWAWrestling.com)

Which begs the question. Is NWA sanctioning of New Japan going to interfere with the Cross Promotion of New Japan with Total Non-Stop Action. Does this effectively end the relationship the NWA has held with Inoki Genome Federation. But most importantly, who will be the first Japanese wrestler to receive a shot at the Worlds Champion, Pearce? Could we see Tenzan receive a shot at 'Scrap Iron' Adam Pearce. Maybe Jushin Liger could challenge Mike Quackenbush for the World's Jr. Heavyweight Championship. Maybe the Real American Heroes defend their titles in Tokyo, with their pro-American anti-everyone else campaign. Only time will tell, but this is definitely an exciting time for the NWA.

Can You Dig It, Sucka?!?

Meltzer is reporting that TNA wrestler, Booker T. is scheduled to make his in ring debut for the Inoki Genome Federation. February 16th at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan will be the 3rd effort put forth by the Inokis. Booker T. was originally scheduled to face fellow TNA wrestler and IGF's Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. There has been no matches announced yet. We will keep you updated.